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NEWPORT, RI, September 20, 2011 - George Wein, Chairman of the Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc.™ and Producer of the Newport Jazz Festival®, today announced the addition of Danny Melnick to the Foundation's team of veteran concert and event producers. Melnick, who worked for Wein's Festival Productions, Inc. (FPI) from 1990 - 1996 and again from 1998 - 2007, returns to the Festival family as Associate Producer of the Newport Jazz Festival.

Melnick will continue to produce concerts and events around the world for his own company, Absolutely Live Entertainment (ALE). Prior to forming ALE in 2007, he was the Artistic Director and a Senior Producer at FPI, where he played a central role in producing the JVC Jazz Festivals in Newport and New York, as well as the Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival, Verizon Music Festivals, the Hampton (VA) Jazz Festival and the Mellon Jazz Festivals in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, among others.

"Danny is a complete and consummate producer who is tapped in to the past, present and future of jazz, " said Wein. "His return to the team of producers is especially important to the non-profit organization in the coming years when I am no longer involved; however, his long-term experience as a producer, programmer and promoter, with me and on his own, is also invaluable now as the Foundation moves forward."

"I've had some of the best experiences in my career working on the Newport Jazz Festival. George's invitation to reunite with him is a personal and professional honor, and I am thrilled to be returning to Newport, " said Melnick.

Rounding out the team of Newport Festivals Foundation producers are Jay Sweet and Robert Jones. Jones, Foundation Technical Director and a Newport Folk Festival® Producer, has been involved with the Folk Festival since 1963. Known for his enthusiastic understanding of the entertainment industry's inner workings, Jay Sweet has spent the last decade helping corporate America with its music initiatives and, in 2007, brought that expertise as well as a passion for music and a strong commitment to the environment to the Newport Folk Festival. As Producer since 2009, Sweet has carried the Festival in a new direction that reaches a young audience and sells out in advance.

"The mission of the Foundation is all important. The Folk and Jazz Festivals are moving forward with a great team of producers and music industry veterans in New York, Newport and New England. Jazz and folk are ever-evolving art forms and the Festival producers understand this, " emphasized Wein.

Wein added, "Jason Olaine did a magnificent job as a talent booker for the Jazz Festival, and I am grateful for his dedication and hard work over the past three years."